Washington Wizards: How to watch, injury report, and prediction
The Washington Wizards head to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers for the second time this season.
The Washington Wizards are coming off a triple overtime win over the Phoenix Suns last night, 149-146. Bradley Beal led the charge with a triple double consisting of 40 points, 15 assists, 11 rebounds. The real M.V.P. was Thomas Bryant who had 31 points and 12 rebounds. Not to mention he went 14-14 from the floor.
Bryant became the fifth player to have a 14-for-14 game or better, joining Payton, Bailey Howell, Billy McKinney and Wilt Chamberlain. Howell was 14 for 14 for the Baltimore Bullets, which was the Wizards’ franchise record until Bryant tied it last night.
This will be a tough back-to-back for Washington against the Indiana Pacers. A triple overtime game where the starters are playing 40-50+ minutes will definitely take its toll on the players.
Let’s take a look at the game details below.
Game Info
Game: Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers
When: Sunday, December 23
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: NBC Sports Washington, Fubo TV
Tip-Off Time: 5 pm Eastern Time
Injury Report
Wizards: Dwight Howard (Lumbar microdisectomy procedure-Out) Otto Porter (Right knee strain/confusion-Out), John Wall (Flu-like symptoms-questionable)
Pacers: Tyreke Evans (Bruised right knee – Questionable)
Projected Starting Lineup
Wizards: G-John Wall, G-Bradley Beal, F-Trevor Ariza, F-Jeff Green, C-Thomas Bryant
Pacers: G-Darren Collison, G-Victor Oladipo, F-Bojan Bogdanovic, F-Thaddeus Young, C-Myles Turner
Prediction
The first time around, the Pacers beat the Wizards 109-101, but neither John Wall or Victor Oladipo were apart of the affair. Fortunately for the Wizards, they are 3-1 this season when they play back-to-backs.
Washington played great team ball against the Suns and it showed with 40 assists. The team gets more involved as a unit when Wall isn’t in the lineup, but it will be good to get some fresh legs for this game.
Myles Turner had his way with the Wizards last time with 26 points and 11 rebounds. To make matters worse, Washington was out-rebounded 34-50. You don’t even need to check the stats, it obvious that they are the worst rebounding team in the NBA. After last night, Scott Brooks should realize that Bryant’s minutes need to increase.
The Pacers are coming into this matchup with the second best defense in the NBA. They are only allowing 102.4 points per 100 possessions. They force a minimum of 16 turnovers per game, which will be a big problem for Washington since they had 22 last night against Phoenix.
The Wizards struggle on the road this season. They’ve only won 4 out of 18 games away from D.C.
Must Read. Washington Wizards: Without a center or without a plan?. light
It certainly will be a tough game for the team simply because of all the minutes played last night. Brooks will have to utilize his bench more in this matchup, which could be the downfall for the team. The second unit didn’t play well against the Suns besides Markieff Morris.
Expect Indiana to take advantage of a tired Wizards team
Final Score – IND – 115, WSH – 108